TRAVEL BY CAR

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An alternative to traveling by train, bus, plane or cruise ship is to travel to your holiday destination by car. Here, good preparation is the be-all and end-all for a relaxed holiday. The advantage: You can see and discover a lot of new things along the way, while remaining flexible and independent. A road trip is always a little adventure.

Contents

1. CARRYING LUGGAGE IN THE CAR

WHICH TYPE OF LUGGAGE: SUITCASE/TRAVEL BAG?

The first question that arises here is: Which type of luggage is ideal for traveling by car?

Travel bags are lightweight and guarantee easy handling. They belong to the “soft luggage” category - just like fabric suitcases (soft-shell suitcases) - and are more flexible to handle. Due to their soft material, they are easier to squeeze into corners and therefore store perfectly in the trunk. The optimal choice for a road trip. Hard-shell suitcases can be easily stored next to each other or, depending on the size of the suitcase, stacked on top of each other.

IMPORTANT:

Due to their soft shape, travel bags are more flexible to store in the trunk and are ideal for car journeys.
Hard-shell suitcases can be easily placed next to each other or stacked on top of each other.

ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES ON THE TRIP

Be sure to load the trunk systematically. On a car trip - especially with children - breaks are essential. If the trunk is too full, you may not be able to access important items. For this reason, the trunk should be loaded so that basic things are within easy reach. Hard-shell suitcases usually have no side or outside compartments. Travel bags are an advantage here because they have external pockets - meaning that belongings are more quickly at hand.

2. Car-Check before the trip

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS BEFORE DRIVING

The tires should have at least three millimeters of remaining tread or should be replaced. Less tread means poorer grip and braking properties. The legal requirement is 1.6 millimeters. Please also check for cracks and other damage.
The oil, coolant, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid levels should be checked before driving.
Wiper rubbers and wear marks on the brake pads must be checked, as well as the expiry date of the first aid kit. Please also test the handbrake. High visibility vests must be present. Test vehicle lighting, preferably with two people. When the ignition is activated, one switches on all the lights one after the other - from the parking light to the brake light to the rear fog light. The other person looks outside to see whether everything is working.
Stow heavy luggage as far down as possible and close to the back seat back or in the footwell. Store loose parts in a transport box. If the load is secured in the trunk with straps, it cannot slip and cause the car to skid in the event of an emergency braking or evasive maneuver. Do not place luggage on the parcel shelf as it could be thrown around in the event of an accident.
Please note: The permitted load is stated in the vehicle registration document (registration certificate part I). According to ADAC, most cars can carry between 400 and 500 kg (the weight of the passengers also counts). It's best to weigh your luggage beforehand.
Important: Increase tire pressure to the maximum before traveling.
Travelling in winter: Don't forget snow chains, antifreeze and door lock de-icer. Please make sure that the sealing rings on the doors and trunk are supple and do not freeze.
Be sure to take regular breaks, always drive well-rested and prevent fatigue!

3. ROAD TRIPS WITH CHILDREN

HOW DO I MAKE THE TRAVEL EASIER FOR CHILDREN?

Children get bored when they have to spend hours in the car. They start to whine, become restless and the question “When are we finally there?” takes place every minute. The children's impatience and restlessness begin to wear on our nerves. We get irritated and internally think, “Great, the vacation is off to a good start!”

The most important thing is good planning. In order to make the journey as pleasant as possible, we should work with the children to decide what can be packed in the bag. For long car journeys, radio plays, music or a tablet with favorite films are helpful to shorten the journey time. Classic alternatives would be children's books, magnetic play sets, card games or a few snacks.